IELTS Writing Task 2/ IELTS Essay:

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.

Scientists and the news media are presenting ever more evidence of climate change. Governments cannot be expected to solve this problem. It is the responsibility of individuals to change their lifestyle to prevent further damage.

What are your views? Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

You should write at least 250 words.

Model Answer 1:
Nowadays, climate change and global warming issues have become very popular and widely discussed issues. Many people discuss the evidence of climate change and propose solutions on how to solve a lot of problems from the climate change effect. Some people argue that government cannot be expected to tackle the problem because the cause of the problem is human mistakes. I agree with that, however, I believe that both government and individuals should take roles and solve the problem together.

The roles of government are needed to solve the problem since they have the power to control societies. Firstly, the government should make and enforce regulations about vehicle use strictly. They have to reduce private motor vehicles by increasing the number of public transportation. Secondly, the rapid growth of forest destruction must be concerned by the government. They have to give severe punishment for illegal logging perpetrators to prevent further damage to the environment. Because of human activities as the primary cause of the climate change, people have to be responsible by taking positive actions. They should change their lifestyle and behaviour to reduce the impact of the problem. Doing simple things like throwing rubbish in the recycle bin, using electricity wisely, buying environment-friendly products, or planting trees will be really helpful.

In conclusion, I believe that the climate change is the problem for all of people in this world – with no exception. The government and individuals should take roles and solve the problem together to minimize the impact of climate change.

(Approximately252words) [ Written by - Dina Bachtiar ]

Model Answer 2:
Recently scientists worried about climate change have urged governments to introduce measures to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions that are seen as its main cause. Simultaneously, politicians and environmentalists have urged individuals to make changes to their lifestyle. I shall argue that governments and individuals should take join responsibility for this problem.

Firstly, industry accounts for a large proportion of the greenhouse gas emissions, and this can only be controlled by government action. Measures could be taken to discourage pollution, such as limiting or taxing the use of fossil fuels. Alternatively, subsidies could be offered to industries to clean up their production processes. If these ideas were adopted, I believe that businesses would regard pollution as a financial issue. Secondly, discussions among governments can ensure that solutions are successful. The Kyoto agreement, for example, tried to reach a global agreement on how to address the problem. Without such co-operating, it seems to me that efforts to reduce fuel consumption are unlikely to be effective.

However, national and international policies will only succeed if individuals also change their lifestyle. For example, people could think more carefully about how they use energy in their homes. By using less electricity, installing energy-efficient light bulbs and electrical appliances, or investing in solar panels, individuals can make a real difference. In addition, I think individual attitudes to transport need to change. Instead of making short trips by car, people could choose to walk, cycle, or take a bus. Since cars are a major source of the problem, changing our behaviour in this area would have a major impact.

In conclusion, I would maintain that only a combination of the international agreement, national policies, and changes in individual behaviour will succeed in preventing further damage to the environment.

(Approximately291words)

(This model answer has been prepared by the site developer. However, please note that this is just one example out of many possible answers.)